I'm the R, the A, to the K-I-M.

[raybear]

Strangely enough, when I look back to my trans coming out period, I will probably think most fondly of the restrooms at my workplace. Not only because of my occasional afternoon sabbaticals into the stall where I could process the hundreds of websites I first read talking about transmen, but because I have most all packages and online orders sent to my work address, it's also where I have escaped to try things out. Today was no different.

I received my new vest, and rather than wait patiently to go home and try in on in the privacy of the bedroom, I waited approximately one hour before I headed to my favorite second stall and quickly tore off my shirt. There's something extra bizarre about being partially naked in a public bathroom when it's not related to an obvious common goal (i.e. using the toilet or changing clothes). I guess I was techinically changing clothes, but it seems a bit more intimate and bizarre to just be standing in the stall with only pants and shoes on when a guy comes in to use the urinal.

Warning: Tranny speak/code ahead.
Anyway, I ordered from Underworks the vest and the regular tank top, though I ordered the tank in a size smaller than usual because it was on clearance. It does fit me, but constricts my breath a tad. If, however, my body continues changing shape, it will probably fit very easily soon enough. My binding method for the past 2 years or so has been the tank with the frog on top. It keeps the frog from digging into my ribs and help it look flatter and smoother. So the vest seemed to a be a variation of the tank, only with a line of hooks down the center, rather than pulling it over my head. I had serious doubts, but then I got in on and it looks about the same as my previous combination. Possibly flatter and smoother. And I don't have to wear 2 items, only one. I'm quite pleased with the results so far. If it's still working out in a few days, I'll probably go back and order 2 or 3 more so I can rotate them out so that they'll stay cleaner and won't stretch out as fast.
One drawback is that the line of hooks down the center is somewhat visible in a tight shirt, especially a white one. But I'm thinking with an a-shirt worn over it will be fine. And, and, and, I'm hoping it will be suitable for swimming, either with a sleevless shirt worn over, or if I'm feeling bold and it's an isolated area, just the vest by itself. I mean, it doesn't particularly dashing in style, but I just look like a guy who maybe has back programs or recently had surgery or something. I might also be able to wear the new vest for swimming as well, since it's a size smaller and fits more tightly -- I could just throw an a-frame on top. I don't mind wearing stuff that confuses people a little, like they might notice the double straps and think it's unusual, but they won't necessarily know what it is or why.

So that's the update on that front. In other news, last night I watched TV all night and thereby giving myself a headache from eye strain and generally demoralizing myself for lack of motivation. But on the plus side, I did get a small gig offer yesterday for next Wednesday at the AZone, and it doesn't have to be dance stuff -- I can play more chilled out stuff in the downstairs room while the performances are going on upstairs. And I e-mailed this guerilla radio station in chicago with the hopes of perhaps getting a gig with them. I'm hoping they're not defunct. They only broadcast after 6 pm, so tonight I'll try to give a listen.

Shortly I will be eating outside with one masscooper, which is a happy thing for multiple reasons

Comments

[ex-fish.livejournal.com]

I used to pick up my mail on the way out of my apartment on the way to work and I would always open my new stuff in the basement bathroom and try it on before taking the elevator upstairs.

And we're just talking new shirts and pants and stuff. Nothing exciting like a vest!

[raybear.livejournal.com]

I wouldn't say exciting. It's basically a glorified girdle. But I'm secure enough in my manhood to wear a girdle.

I think.

Re:

[ex-fish.livejournal.com]

*chuckle*

Hey, I'm secure enough in my weight to wear shorts and a tank top with a safari hat.

Be SECURE! oy. chest pain.

[danielray.livejournal.com]

a question on the vest: how far down does it extend on your torso? i always end up having to cut off the bottom portion of compression shirts so that they don't cut off my breathing. (i'm super sensitive to pressure on my diaphragm or lower.) is the vest designed so that it can be shortened that way, or are the hooks somehow set up so that it'll fray if i shorten it?

--ray

[raybear.livejournal.com]

let me first say that i'm not super tall (about 5'8, 5'9 if i'm standing up straight), AND I'm short-waisted. so the vest end at about my hip bone, which is a couple inches south of my waist. I like it this long because then I can tuck it to my shorts. i'm sure this would cut off your breathing, since i find it tighter in the belly than the compression shirts (it's virtually the same material as the diamond part of the compression shirt). but, i think you could cut if off without too much damage -- the hooks are about 2 inches apart from each other. then you'd probably have to re-hem it, though perhape if you just cut the vest with pinking shears (those scissors that cut zigzag) that might be enough to prevent it from unraveling.

with the compression shirts, did you have problems with them being too low? like the neck line is well below the collar bone? I ended up snipping about 3 inches for the shoulder strap out, then sewing it back together with thick nylon thread, with a lock stitch (often those seams outlasted the factory produced stitch.) that way the compression shirt was higher up and smushed my chest more.

[danielray.livejournal.com]

well, i have a really high-cut no-seam shirt thingy from underworks(?) that basically is cut like a muscle shirt. useful b/c it minimizes seams, but no good if i want to wear something sleeveless.

i also have a compression tank from international male that is less than helpful. but cut like a low a-shirt. and yes, a bit too low.

my problem overall is that my little ribcage and shoulders are too small, so any shirts, even in the small size, tend to hang off of me. i'm hoping to grow. :)

--ray

[hissyfit.livejournal.com]

i want more vest info. i think i want to buy one. *exudes manliness*

[raybear.livejournal.com]

here's the specific link: underworks vest

I bought a size medium. it's sort of like a stretchy nylon weave. more breathable and see thru than a bathing suit or frog bra, but with more compression. it stretches down to you waist, so keep that into account when sizing.

any other info you'd like?

Re:

[hissyfit.livejournal.com]

i would like to know how it works for you in the longer-run, so keep us updated.